by David Jackson, USATODAY

by David Jackson, USATODAY

So how did well-known heckler and war protester Medea Benjamin -- leader of the activist group Code Pink -- get into President Obama's counterterrorism speech on Thursday?

With a press pass.

Politico reported that a photographer who stood in line with Benjamin at the National Defense University saw her wearing a bright green pass pass adorned with her original name, Susan Benjamin.

Security officials eventually escorted Benjamin from the hall after she continually yelled at Obama in protest over drones and the terrorism prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

The Atlantic recited Benjamin's history of heckling: "She's been seen and heard at many big political events over the last year: at CIA chief John Brennan's confirmation hearing, the NRA's Wayne LaPierre's press conference, the Republican National Convention." It quoted a "Senate source" as saying she also used the media pass trick to get into one of its events.

In statement, the National Defense University confirmed Benjamin's strategy:

"The individual who continued to attempt to interrupt the President's speech at the National Defense University was given access via the list of media attendees expected.

"When it was apparent this individual would not be deterred by the President's effort to address her concerns, officials from the National Defense University staff and Base Police asked her to leave and escorted her from the venue. She has been questioned by Join Base Myer-Henderson Hall police.

"This speech was not open to the general public. Attendance for non-media was limited to invited guests from the National Defense University faculty, staff, and student body, along with those invited by the White House."